Controversial whip rule to be reviewed

The French-trained CIRRUS DES AIGLES edged out the Irish-trained SO YOU THINK in the final strides to win the £2 million Champion Stakes Group I feature over 10 furlongs at Ascot last Saturday.

Despite the 5-y-o gelding's popular victory, winning jockey Christophe Soumillon was docked his entire purse for excessive use of the whip.

The new whip rule went into effect in Britain on October 10 and since then there have been howls of protest by jockeys. Soumillon incurred a five-day suspension and had to forfeit the winning share of his purse, which amounted to £50,000.

The jockey struck CIRRUS DES AIGLES six times (one fewer than the total permitted) with the whip, but administered all six hits during the final furlong, when only five strokes are allowed.

A furious Soumillon told reporters. "I'm very, very, very embarrassed for British racing. The people and the fans have been let down. The rules can change but not like this, you can't chop your hands and legs off."

Meanwhile, amid the controversy, the British Horseracing Authority says the new whip rule that have angered jockeys will be reviewed by today, this after the Professional Jockeys' Association met with the Horseracing Authority on Monday.

Top Flat jockey Richard Hughes handed in licence after incurring his second suspension of the week on October 13. Five more jockeys were suspended on Monday.

Also at Ascot last Saturday, the world's top racehorse, FRANKEL, extended his unbeaten run to nine with a four-length victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with Tom Queally riding for trainer Sir Henry Cecil and owner Prince Abdullah. The race was watched by The Queen.

Today's racing takes place at Newbury, Doncaster, Fakenham and Wolverhampton in the evening. We like the look of RED ALPHA (9-2) under champion jockey Paul Hanagan in the eighth race, the Earl of Doncaster Nursery over one mile to be contested by 13 two-year-olds. BUSTER BROWN (8-1) looks the principal danger. There is simulcast racing from Belmont Park in New York and Beulah Park as well.

WRITER'S TIPS IN SELECTED RACES: (1) Emperor Vespasian (2) Adeste (5) Red Halo (6) Court Red Handed (8) Red Alpha(10) Mr Maynard (11) Elusivity (12) Bottman (13) Jiwen (14) Golan Guy (16) Top Diktat (17) Camberley Two (18) Investment Affair (19) Sarando (20) violent Velocity (22) Ivestar.

Post Time 7:50 a.m.

TRACK PRINCE PLUS/UBA NUMBERING.